Film Screening 23rd November, 2018

First Man

On the 21st of July 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first human to walk on the moon. Around six hundred million people (a fifth of the planet’s population at that time) watched the event on TV. I was one of them, let out early from my school. And now, nearly 50 years later, First Man reminds us of that astounding achievement – a high watermark of the American Century.

Only 12 humans in history have ever walked on the moon’s surface and First Man is a film about the lengthy and perilous process that got them there. Based on James R. Hansen’s biography of the same name, the film chronicles the years 1961 to 1969, and the numerous sacrifices – and failures – that preceded the historic launch of the Apollo 11 mission.

First Man strikes the right balance between action, thrills, science, and humanity, and is another great collaboration between La La Land director Damien Chazelle and his muse Ryan Gosling, cast here as Armstrong. This is a ride that’s not to be missed!

Deborah Dawkings

Halloween

10:01 PM, 23rd November, 2018

Rating MA

Length 106 mins

Year 2018

Released in 1978, the original Halloween depicted teenage babysitter Laurie (Curtis) being stalked by the homicidal and criminally insane Michael Myers (Castle), recently escaped from a mental ward. Myers is a frightening personification of pure evil. He is a non-redeemable character whose need to kill is the only real motivation behind his murderous actions.

Since 1978, the various sequels and reboots gave Myers a backstory and alternative motivation for his focus on Laurie. These plot embellishments made Myers more human, hindering the horrifying effect his original monstrosity gave. Fortunately, this 2018 reboot of the franchise ignores these sequels altogether.

In this film’s new revised timeline, Myers was arrested and locked up after the events of the first film. The modern obsession with exploitative ’true crimes’ stories is utilised as we follow a film crew, visiting Myers in prison, while making a documentary focussing on his crimes. This leads to Myers escaping once again and heading straight for Laurie. This time, however, she’s prepared and ready for a fight!

After last year’s It and Get Out, the horror genre has never been as popular. Prepare for some frights with the return of one of the slasher genre’s most iconic killers.